Nobody likes to do housework, so there has been a proliferation of smart home devices that make it possible to avoid them altogether. Now you can even get “smart valves,” which automatically water your plants 5 smart devices to help manage your garden 5 smart devices to help manage your garden Turns out, a smart garden is entirely possible, thanks to the devices we're about to take take a look today. Read more.
It doesn't stop there. Vacuuming, for example, is a job that is becoming more and more robotic. These traverse your home of their own volition, vacuuming up all the dust and debris in their path. You're probably familiar with (and have longed for) the iconic iRobot Roomba iRobot Roomba 760 Review and Giveaway iRobot Roomba 760 Review and Giveaway Who doesn't love a clean house? Actually, let me rephrase that:who doesn't love a self-cleaning house? Imagine a world where you don't need to lift a finger to sweep or mop your floor. We will be… Read more, which has been in the market for almost 15 years..
The appeal of these devices is undeniable. But they are not for everyone. You should think long and hard before buying one. This is why.
Yeah. 15 years in the making, and they can't climb stairs. That's not for lack of trying; getting robots up stairs is a pretty big challenge, and save for a couple of pre-production prototypes, no one has been able to pull it off without making serious compromises with maneuverability and form factor.
This means that unless you own an apartment, you'll have a vacuum handy for the stairs, which, it could be argued, fundamentally defeats the purpose of owning a robotic vacuum.
As a side note, it's worth adding that while Roombas don't have the ability to climb stairs, many of the newer models do come with sensors that allow them to clean the upper reaches of houses without cascading down a flight of stairs. .
This is probably for the best, especially when you consider that the cheapest ones are around $300.
If you read a review of a Roomba in the tech press or in an Amazon comment section, you'll see a common complaint:Robotic vacuums aren't terribly powerful at sucking up dirt. This is obvious. They're much smaller than regular vacuums, and instead of relying on a main power source, they have to use (and conserve) a battery.
Proponents of robotic vacuum cleaners argue that this is not a problem, since robotic vacuum cleaners are designed to run more often than you would normally vacuum in a home. While you can run your Dyson about every three days, you could schedule your Roomba to run multiple times a day.
But I'm not terribly convinced by this. I own a dog and a top-of-the-line Dyson DC40 vacuum cleaner, which is £200 (about $400 in the US) brand new. When my dog sheds hair, my vacuum struggles to capture every last thread. I have to go over the same spot over and over again with some force. I struggle to see how a much weaker robotic vacuum could cope.
Let's clear up a myth about robotic vacuum cleaners. They only vacuum dust and debris. They won't pick up your dirty laundry, or move that stack of books on your floor. For them to be truly effective, you need to proactively make sure your floor is clear.
While this won't be a barrier for some people, it certainly will be for some college students I know.
Robotic vacuum cleaners are not totally hands-free. You still need regular maintenance to keep them working properly and to prevent breakage.
Take the Roomba, for example. In a 2013 article, CNET recommended users to remove and clean the brushes and bearings once a week, and to remove the chassis and remove internal debris once a month. That's a lot of work.
I imagine it could also be quite scary, especially if the user isn't mechanically inclined. It goes without saying that the average vacuum cleaner does not require the same level of maintenance.
Lastly, let's cut to the chase. Robotic vacuum cleaners are still extremely expensive and out of the price range for many people. This is strange, given that they are a mature technology that has been on the market for over 15 years. Doubly so, when you consider that there are a lot of imitations made in Shenzhen that have flooded eBay, Amazon marketplaces and Ali Express. Is AliExpress safe and legit? Alibaba Online Store Explained Is AliExpress safe and legit? Alibaba Online Store Explained Is it safe to buy from Aliexpress? Are there security vulnerabilities? What about fraud and counterfeits? Is it legit? Read more.
At the top of the market is the iRobot Roomba 980, which costs just $900. In terms of cleaning performance, this generally matches other Roombas, but this has increased mobile connectivity and drastically improved navigation.
iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity, Works with Alexa, Great for Pet Hair, Carpets, Hard Floors iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity, Works with Alexa, Great for Pet Hair, Carpets, hard floors Buy Now On Amazon $959.46
The cheapest Roomba you'll get is the 620, which is around $300. This offers essentially the same functionality, but with a few minor omissions. There's no scheduling feature, for example, and it won't tell you when the dumpster is full and needs to be emptied. You have to check manually.
British house name Dyson has also entered the robotic vacuum cleaner fray with the Dyson 360 Eye. His offer is a high-end affair and costs more than $1,200. It has also apparently solved the performance issues inherent in many rival robotic aspirations, but at a cost of size. It is so big and heavy that it has to propel itself through tank tracks. This significantly enlarged size means it struggles to get under furniture.
Then there are the off-brand robotic vacuum cleaners. 6 Robot Vacuums You Can Afford 6 Robot Vacuums You Can Afford Today You can find robot vacuums for under $200 these days, making them great for yourself or a nice gift for a techie friend. Read more . The MARK-8 performance marks are a great example of a device that has an attractive price tag, but disappointing user feedback.
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When you scrape the bottom of the barrel, you come across things like the $23 O-Cedar O-Duster Robotic Floor Cleaner. This is basically a lint cloth attached to a motor and collision detector. Avoid these like the plague.
O-Cedar O-Duster robotic floor cleaner O-Cedar O-Duster robotic floor cleaner Buy now on Amazon
If this sounds like I'm openly negative about robotic vacuum cleaners, think again. For some people, they represent a worthwhile purchase. These people probably have deep pockets, and they live in apartments. They probably aren't afraid of getting their hands dirty and replacing the occasional brush or ball bearing.
But if you live in a house and are happy with your current vacuum cleaner, you may want to think twice before purchasing a robot vacuum cleaner. Your value proposition is not that strong.
Do you own a robotic vacuum cleaner? Love it? I hate it? Tell me in the comments below..
